Life as a Lindenwood Student-Athlete From Court to Classroom
Written by Anna Kraemer | BS, Marketing – Supply Chain Management Minor | Senior
Hi everyone! My name is Anna Kraemer, and I am a junior studying Marketing and Supply Chain Management at Lindenwood University. In addition to my studies, I am a member of both the indoor volleyball and beach volleyball teams on campus. My experience at Lindenwood—both in the classroom and as a student-athlete—has helped me build a strong connection with the St. Charles community while also giving me a solid foundation for my future career.
Finding the Right Fit at Lindenwood
During my junior and senior years of high school, I spent a lot of time reaching out to college coaches and visiting different campuses. I had a clear list of qualities that I was looking for in a school: a strong business program, a competitive volleyball program, a beautiful campus, and a location with plenty to do. Lindenwood checked all of these boxes for me, and when I stepped on campus for my visit, it immediately felt like home.
Why I Chose Marketing and Supply Chain
Choosing to study Marketing and Supply Chain felt like a natural fit for me. Growing up, I often watched my dad work on sales calls at the freight trucking company he worked for, which sparked my interest in the business world early on. I also genuinely enjoyed the business classes I took in high school, and they motivated me to continue exploring that passion at a deeper level in college.
Life as a Dual-Sport Athlete
Being part of both the indoor and beach volleyball programs at Lindenwood has made my college experience incredibly rewarding. As a dual-sport athlete, I spend the fall semester practicing and competing with the indoor team and then transition into the spring season with the beach volleyball team.
Being in season for most of the school year definitely comes with its challenges—especially when it means missing classes to travel for games and tournaments. Fortunately, my professors at Lindenwood have been incredibly understanding and supportive, helping me stay on track and succeed both in the classroom and on the court.
A Day in the Life
A typical day in my life starts with an early morning lift, followed by practice, then grabbing something quick to eat at our new fueling station for NCAA athletes before heading straight to class. After class, I usually get lunch with friends, then spend the rest of the day studying and spending time with them.
Even though my schedule is busy, I genuinely love it because there’s never a boring day. Both of my coaches do a great job of monitoring my workload and making sure we stay balanced—for example, during midterms and finals week, practices are shorter and always end on time, giving us more time to prepare for exams.
When we travel for away games, we often have a few hours of free time, which my teammates and I use to catch up on homework. One of my favorite memories was sitting in the back of the bus with my teammate Emma on the way to UT Martin, quizzing each other for a Financial Accounting test, turning a long travel day into a study session. Since many of my teammates are business majors as well, I always feel like I have someone I can turn to for help, and there’s a strong sense of community within our team—not just to succeed on the court, but in the classroom too.
Skills That Translate Beyond the Court
As a college athlete at Lindenwood, I have developed skills and learned life lessons that have shaped me into a better person and prepared me for a future career in supply chain. These skills include teamwork, communication, discipline, and time management.
Because my teammates come from different backgrounds and have different communication styles, I’ve learned how to adapt and communicate in ways that best support the team. Competing in high-pressure games has also taught me how to think quickly and stay calm under pressure. I believe these experiences have helped me stand out among other students when applying for internships.
Turning Experience Into Opportunity
This was reinforced when I accepted an offer from my top-choice company, World Wide Technology, for a summer internship. It was exciting to see how the skills I’ve developed as a student-athlete translated directly into a professional opportunity.
Throughout my interview processes, I was often asked how being a college athlete has prepared me for a professional career and which skills would help me succeed in the role. That’s when I realized how much companies value collegiate athletes for the unique skill set they bring. To prepare, I made it a priority to research each company, understand their values, and clearly connect my experiences as a student-athlete to what they were looking for.
Looking Ahead
My experience at Lindenwood University, both in the classroom and through volleyball, has given me the confidence and foundation to succeed in the business world. Being a student-athlete has pushed me to grow in ways I never expected, and it has shaped who I am today.
Looking back, choosing to come here and continue my volleyball career is one of the best decisions I’ve made. For anyone considering playing a sport in college, I would encourage you to take the opportunity—you never know how much it can challenge you, shape you, and ultimately prepare you for your future.